Southampton v United Preview

Manchester United make the long trip to the south-coast for the third game of the 2012/2013 Premier League season to take on newly promoted Southampton.

With a in and a loss already this season, Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping that, in his 1000th League game in charge, his side can take the three points on offer to keep within reach of the top of the Premier League.

Vital Quotes:

United travel to Southampton with the newly promoted side looking to cause an upset, ahead of the game we feel that Southampton may have a touch of the Stoke`s about them when it comes to set pieces with Adam Lallana warning us,

"Set-pieces are a massive part of the game and we work on them day in, day out in training."

"We have got good target men going into the box with the likes of Rickie and Jos, so hopefully they ca cause a few problems."

"De Gea is a great keeper and would not be playing for a club like Man United if he wasn`t."

"But everyone makes mistakes. It is about us getting the ball into the box so they make errors."

"Everton beat them on the opening day ad showed if you can get in their faces and get crosses in the box they are beatable."

Saucy git!

But at least it looks as if Jonny Evans will be back to partner Nemnaja Vidic.

Southampton Team News:

Nigel Adkins has done brilliantly to take Southampton on a back-to-back promotion run, but he realises that he`s in with the big-boys now and he`ll probably rue not having May Yoshida and Emmanuel Mayuka available and he`ll be hoping that Jack Cork can shake of an ankle problem.

Player to watch: Rickie Lambert

Has scored goals at every level with Bristol Rovers and Southampton, who is to say he can`t do it at this level.

United Team News:

Sir Alex takes his squad to Southampton with the news that Jonny Evans is available to ease his central defensive crisis. But there are still several who are sidelines, the centre back trio of Rio Ferdinand, Chris Smalling an dPhil Jones are out of contention. Also missing will be Ashley Young who has a knock that will keep him out for two weeks whilst there is off course Wayne Rooney who is nursing a badly cut thigh that will see him sidelines for some time to come.

Also not in the squad any more, following his transfer to Fulham, is Dimitar Berbatov.

Player to watch: Robin Van Persie

With Waune Rooney out injured, Sir Alex will be looking for the Dutchman to get amongst the goals.

Match Facts & Stats

Visits to Southampton are synonymous with that day United wore two different kits. The fixture, at The Dell, back in 1996, saw United switch at half time with the players complaining that they couldn`t see team-mates as they were blending in with the crowd.

The last time the two teams played was in the FA Cup, back on 29th January 2011 when United won 2-1 with goals coming from Javier Hernandez and Michael Owen.

Match Prediction:

We`re going, naturally, for a United win, although it could be closer than many pundits think.

Next Fixtures:

We break for internationals so the next Premier League fixture we have is at home to Wigan.